four consecutive balanced budget with a tax cut, not a tax increase. >> a tiny tax cut compared to the biggest increase in history. >> we don't need to relitigate the 1990s. i mean -- >> but the point here is that this was -- clinton did face the charge that the economy would sour if he increased taxes. but he also cut defense spending over $250 billion over 10 years. and he has said recently, one of the reasons they lost the house in 1994 was that '93 deal. but here, where is the action, bob? >> well, having tried to do some reporting on this, first of all, i think the staff, the white house staff and the house staff, have met or talked five times. it really is down to obama and boehner at the table. i think you can only take a snapshot right now and try to look at what the experience the president has had recently. he won re-election. he's had lots of ceos in to meet with him. and this is interesting. they are telling him, mostly republicans, let's give on rates. it's not a big deal. i think the house leadership may have lost the parade that is supposed to be following them on that.